Have questions? Reach out to our team to discuss specifics to your project.
Beyond the Fireworks: What Hotel Owners Need to Know About How Lunar New Year 2026 Can Delay Project Timelines
Hotel owners and developers are used to juggling time lines, budgets, and intricate supply chains. Details matter when planning for your new construction or renovation project, which makes Lunar New Year an important event to anticipate. If not taken into consideration, LNY can throw even the most meticulously planned project into disarray.
Also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, LNY is the most important holiday in China, and traditional celebrations typically last for 15 to 16 days. In 2026, the official public holidays in mainland China begin on February 15th and last through February 22nd. It’s important to note, however, that LNY itself won’t conclude until the Lantern Festival on March 3rd.
The Great Migration & Its Full Impact
During LNY, almost one-fifth of the world's population embarks on a massive pilgrimage back home. They travel from industrial centers, factories, and towns throughout Asia to their hometowns across China to celebrate with their families. This results in:
· Extended Factory Closures: While the official public holiday in mainland China is a week, most factories, especially those involved in FF&E manufacturing, will begin winding down operations at least one to two weeks prior to the official start date. Moreover, they may not fully resume production for two to three weeks after the official end date.
· Logistical Bottlenecks: Ports, shipping lines, and trucking companies also face immense pressure and reduced staffing before, during, and after the holiday. This leads to severe delays in cargo processing, increased shipping costs, and a scramble for limited container space.
· Post-Holiday Ramp-Up: When workers return, it's not always a seamless transition. Some employees may not return immediately, or at all, leading to temporary labor shortages. This can further slow production as factories struggle to regain full capacity.
Hotel FF&E Projects Can Feel the Pain
If your FF&E manufacturer is in Asia or reliant on parts or materials from Asia, the extended closures and logistical challenges referred to above will have direct implications for your project's schedule and budget. FF&E production and shipping will grind to a halt during this period. Expedited shipping fees and storage costs due to port congestion delays could weigh on your budget. Furthermore, a less obvious concern is the quality of manufactured products, since rushing to finish orders before the holiday or restarting production with a potentially new or incomplete workforce afterwards can lead to overlooked FF&E quality issues.
Proactive Strategies for Hotel Owners
The good news is that by taking the steps outlined below, you can mitigate the risks associated with Lunar New Year 2026:
1. Plan Early and Start the Conversation: The best thing you can do is to begin discussions with your FF&E procurement provider well in advance and aim to have all orders placed before the end of October 2025. For example, LNY is a high priority right now for Innvision and we are advising our clients accordingly.
2. Consider Alternative Sourcing: For critical items, explore manufacturers less likely to be affected by LNY closures, especially U.S. manufacturers.
3. Build in Buffer Time: Add four to ten weeks of contingency into your project schedule for any FF&E, parts, or materials sourced from China that LNY might affect.
4. Prioritize and Communicate: Work with your procurement team to prioritize FF&E items with longer lead times. Communicate openly and frequently with all stakeholders—designers, contractors, and suppliers—about the LNY timeline and its potential impacts.
In summary, Lunar New Year is a time of celebration and family reunion, but it can snarl global supply chains. Working with a proactive, communicative procurement partner such as Innvision will help keep your projects on track and on budget. Contact us to begin a conversation with a trusted partner about how you can ensure your hotel's grand opening will stay on schedule.
